Alright, so the other day, I decided it was time to get back into boxing. I used to do it a bit when I was younger, but it’s been a while. First thing I needed was a decent pair of gloves. But man, figuring out what size to get? That was a whole thing.
I started by just hitting up a few websites, trying to get a basic idea. Turns out, boxing gloves are measured in ounces (oz), which is basically how much padding they have. I saw a bunch of different weights – 8oz, 10oz, 12oz, 14oz, even 16oz and up.
My first thought was, “Okay, heavier gloves mean more protection, right?” So, I almost went straight for the 16oz ones. But then I read a bit more and realized it’s not that simple. See, the weight isn’t just about protection; it also affects your speed and the kind of training you’re doing.
Getting Down to the Details
Here’s what I dug up. Lighter gloves, like 8oz or 10oz, are usually for pros in actual fights. They’re super lightweight, so you can throw punches really fast. But they don’t have a lot of padding, so they’re not great for just hitting the heavy bag all day. Then there are the 12oz gloves. I found out these are pretty common for just regular training, like working with pads or mitts. They’ve got a decent amount of padding, but they’re not so heavy that you can’t move quickly.
- 8-10 oz Gloves: I read these are good for professional fights. They let you punch fast, but there’s not a ton of protection for your hands.
- 12 oz Gloves: Seemed like a good middle ground. People use them for pad work, and they’re not too heavy, not too light.
Figuring Out What I Needed
Now, I’m not planning on stepping into the ring anytime soon. I just wanted something to use on a heavy bag at home and maybe some light sparring later on. I’m about 185 lbs, I found out that people around my weight usually go for 14oz gloves for bag work, especially if you like to hit hard. But I don’t want to get too tired too quickly, and I do want to improve my speed a bit.
So, after thinking it over, I decided to go with the 12oz gloves. They seemed like the best all-around choice for what I wanted to do. I placed the order, and a few days later, they arrived.
I’ve been using them for a couple of weeks now, and I think I made the right call. They feel good on my hands, not too heavy, but still enough padding that my knuckles aren’t killing me after a workout. I can throw punches pretty fast, and my hands feel fine afterward. So yeah, if you’re around my size and just getting into boxing or getting back to it, 12oz gloves might be the way to go.
It’s always good to do your homework and figure out what works best for you. What about you guys? What size gloves do you use, and why?
